By Robert Wall
BERLIN--Qatar Airways would consider buying more shares in
British Airways parent IAG SA and other carriers to build revenue
streams outside beyond its own operations, its chief executive said
Wednesday.
"Qatar Airways wants to keep on investing so we have other
incomes," Akbar Al Baker said at a press conference at the ITB
travel forum. In addition to increasing its stake in International
Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG.LN), Qatar Airways also would
be interested in acquiring a share in India's Indigo, he said.
Mr. Al Baker said he would invest only in strong airlines that
don't require Qatar Airway to invest capital to prop them up or a
lot of management effort to fix. The comment was aimed at rival
Etihad Airways, which has invested heavily in several ailing
airlines including Air Berlin PLC (AB1.XE) and Alitalia.
Mr. Al Baker also rebutted accusations his airline has received
subsidies as alleged in a confidential report put together by
several U.S. rivals.
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), United Continental Holdings
Inc. (UAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) have accused Qatar
Airways, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways from benefiting from
government handouts. The complaint, contained in a 55-page report
circulated in Washington D.C., alleges the Middle East rivals have
benefited from $42.3 billion in subsidies since 2004.
"We would very much like to have the opportunity to read the
report and defend ourselves, "Mr. Al Baker said at a press
conference today. "I am sure there could be information in that
that could misleading."
Mr. Al Baker questioned the claim U.S. airlines were hurt by the
competition from the rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers. "All
of the three of them have made bumper profits. So what is their
problem."
Separately, the Qatar Airways boss said the airline would
receive its second Airbus Group NV A350 long-range jet Wednesday.
The first was delivered in December and has been in service since
January on the Doha-to-Frankfurt route. The plane's performance
"has exceeded our expectations," he said.
Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com
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